Volunteer Spotlight
Christy Rome grew up near Houston but
ended up in Austin after taking part in legislative
advocacy around financial aid during her
college years at Baylor, where she earned both
her Bachelors and her Masters. “I merged my
love of education
and politics here
in Austin,” she
said. Christy was
until
recently
the Director of
Intergovernmental
Relations for Austin
Independent
School District,
and will soon be
the
Executive
Director for the
Texas School Coalition, advocating for funding
on behalf of school districts. Christy has been
a foster parent for 3 youth and shared that her
experience fostering brought her to ultimately
volunteer with CASA. “The girls I fostered had
a wonderful CASA volunteer, so when it was
time to take a break from fostering, I knew as
a volunteer I could continue to help children
and families in the system.” Christy finds it
incredibly rewarding to see a family reunited.
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. You want
kids to be with their parents if that’s possible
and if it’s best for them.” Christy has also served
as a foster liaison for AISD, helping both CPS
and CASA navigate the school system. When
not working, fostering or volunteering, Christy
loves doing work for her church, writing,
photography and employing her planning
personality to coordinate friends’ trips to
Disney World, sharing that she gets to “vacation
through others, and it’s a lot cheaper that way!”

may
--------------------------------------------------‘Twelfth Night; or What You Will’ // Zilker Hillside
Theatre

Featuring music by Austin’s Naga Valli and dance
choreography by Prakash Mohandas, Austin
Shakespeare—now in its 28th season—welcomes young
and old to a Bollywood-inspired production of one of
Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies. “Twelfth
Night” is the story of Viola, a young girl disguised as a
boy servant in the fantastic world of Illyia who falls head
over heels in love with her master. May 3-27, ThursdaysSundays at 8 p.m. Free.
Pecan Street Festival // Sixth Street

Great bands break rules but legends write their own.
Jane’s Addiction have actually written the rule book for
alternative music and culture through a combination
of genre-defying classic songs and a cinematic live
experience. Their songs serve as the Ten Commandments
for alt rock, inspiring an entire generation of bands with
Perry Farrell as one of music’s most forward-thinking and
enigmatic frontmen. Saturday, May 12, 8:30 p.m.

Good Times at Güero’s

For great tunes and great rita’s!
Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Thursday through
Sunday. Thanks to the fans & bands who support us!!! All outdoor
shows are “weather permitting”
May Line-up

News and notes on current affairs and
issues impacting our community from
advocates and business leaders of Austin.

Randy Moreno – Latino Leaders Express Anger
over Violation of ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ //
from a story by Elizabeth Pagano - In a show
of support for Council Member Mike Martinez,
leaders of the Austin Latino community held a
press conference in April to denounce what they
see as a violation of the so-called gentlemen’s
agreement by white candidates running for seats
currently held by minority Council Members.
At the same time, they urged the city to move
forward with single-member districts. “I think that
I can safely say that since those years in the late
60s and early 70s, I have never seen a group of
across-the-board representation of the Latino
community like this here today,” said former
State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos. A coalition of
several dozen Latino leaders and activists were
in attendance, including Rep. Eddie Rodriguez,
Barrientos, former Mayor Gus Garcia and Richard
Moya … Martinez spoke, saying, “The message
today isn’t ‘Vote for Mike because he’s Latino.’
The message is, ‘We deserve and demand Latino
representation on the City Council.’”
Paul Saldaña – Latinos Will Determine Political
Landscape // from Austin American-Statesman
op-ed – “The estimated number of eligible Latino
voters in Austin is nearly 120,000 … Of the 21
million (U.S.) Latinos who were eligible to vote in
2010, only 6.6 million actually headed to the polls.
The underlying question is how to determine the
strategy that will once and for all motivate Latinos
to register and vote. The key, I believe, lies within
our Latino youths … Introducing the concepts of
grass-roots organizing, activism and leadership
with a focus on voter registration and get-outthe-vote initiatives has the potential to truly
motivate and effect a change in Latino voting.
This approach can be successful as long as the
mobilization of our communities is culturally
relevant and addresses the fundamental roots of
our greatest challenges, such as education and
economic success.”
Dan Arellano – The Real Reason to Celebrate
Cinco de Mayo // On May 5, 1862 in the city
of Puebla, the invading forces of Maximilliano
encountered a force of determined Mexican
troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza. We have all
heard the story of how General Zaragoza would
successfully defeat the French invaders at the
Battle of Puebla, but that is only half of the story.
We know now that Napoleon intended entering
the United States and join the Confederates;
therefore, had it not been for the Mexicans,
the institution of slavery may have remained
unresolved for another hundred years.
04 TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com

Latino Healthcare Forum News
The Latino Healthcare Forum, an Austinbased nonprofit concerned with the increasing
healthcare disparities among Latinos, has been
approved by the State Health department
as the first Central Texas school to train and
certify community health workers known as
“Promotores.” Promotores reach underserved
Latinos in the community through their healthcare
providers, the public health department and
school system, as well as local physicians and
employers. Locally, the new school will be called
PromoSalud.
Building a network of community healthcare
workers will enable our local healthcare
community to: (1) to create a bridge between the
healthcare consumer and healthcare providers,
(2) provide health education and information in a
culturally appropriate manner, (3) assist Latinos in
accessing and maintaining their health services,
(4) to counsel and support individuals, and, (5) to
advocate for the basic healthcare needs of the
community.
“Nationally, promotores are helping people better
manage their health and successfully navigate
complex healthcare systems,” said Senator Kirk
Watson. “That improves people’s quality of life
and reduces costs.”
According to Frank Rodriguez, Vice-Chair of
Central Health’s Board of Managers, “By training
leaders in our communities on disease-specific
or broad healthcare matters, we are able to reach
more people and communicate with them in a
way that is more culturally sensitive and relevant.
This will be beneficial in helping people take
charge of their health and to navigate the complex
health and social services when they need them.”

which will focus on preventive oral health care
and decreasing dental cavities and disease in
the Asian population. The fair will have booths
representing local general dentist’s offices,
specialists and city clinics. Attendees will receive
free dental screenings and be guided to dentists,
specialist, and clinics, whether it be a dentist of
the same ethnicity, in their neighborhood, or a
dentist that accepts their insurance. Insure-A-Kid
will also have a booth to help parents apply for
insurance for their children. Plus a kid’s activity
area with dental assistants and hygienists giving
oral hygiene instructions, brushing, flossing,
nutrition education, and face painting, games,
dance groups, healthy snacks and more.

The Tejano Monument: To Countless
Texans, It Mattered By Kathy Vale
With great personal interest, I followed the
circuitous journey of the Tejano Monument
out of respect for all my Tejano ancestors who
planted the core values of family, faith and hard
work that I grew up with. Honored to be a guest
of the sculptor, Armando Hinojosa, I was lucky to
personally experience the dedication on March
29 with thousands who stood witness to the
hard-fought successes and contributions made
to this state by our ancestors.
I moved to Austin from San Antonio in 1981 to
attend the University of Texas. I was the eldest
of four children of Bob and Theresa Vale, the
second of 31 grandchildren on my father’s side
and 17 grandchildren on my mother’s side. My
father was the third of nine children, a MexicanAmerican born and raised in Rio Grande City, Starr
County, an eighth-generation Vale, whose earliest
ancestor originally came from Gottenburg,
Sweden in the early 1800’s, settling in Mier,
Mexico and marrying Juanita Zamorrano.

Free Asian Dental Health Fair By Shailee San Antonio during the 60’s and 70’s made for
Gupta
In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage
Month, the free Asian Dental Health Fair will be
held on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
at Lanier High School’s cafeteria. St. David’s
Foundation Dental Program and the American
Dental Association are presenting the fair,

fun, loving and very interesting times, surrounded
by a sea of siblings and cousins inside a robust and
politically-engaged Mexican-American family and
larger community. I was very close to my paternal
grandmother, Maria Vale. She instilled in me a
deep respect and fierce pride for the stories of
my pioneer Vale ancestors, especially the women

What’s at Stake in
Arizona v. United States
is Bigger than ‘Papers
Please’
By Cristina Parker

On April 25, the Supreme Court heard arguments
in the case of Arizona v. United States regarding the
state’s infamous “papers, please” law, SB1070. The
primary legal question before the court is whether
Arizona can create its own immigration law instead
of following federal regulations. But the moral
question posed in this case is much deeper.
Let’s look at the legal questions first. The court
considered four provisions of SB1070 that had
been blocked by a lower court. They are the
“papers, please” section which allows local law
enforcement to ask anyone for their immigration
status, the section that allows warrantless arrests of
immigrants and two sections that criminalize being
undocumented.

the moral issues of discrimination and equality are hate crimes during this time was as much as a 50%
what’s really at stake.
increase in California and other states.

SB1070 timeline

So, unlike the complicated legal questions that The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that
were posed in the case, the moral question is the number of “radical right groups” in America—
simple and enduring: What kind of nation are we? including hate groups, tea party groups and antiimmigrant nativist groups—increased in 2010 for
This is where Arizona’s nightmare vision of America the second year in a row.
cuts to the heart of who we are as a people. We are
not a nation that wants to see families are ripped
That’s why Texans held vigils for 72 hours across
apart, or forced into hiding. We aren’t a people
the state as the court heard arguments on SB1070.
who believe that children should be orphaned
We have seen how what happened in Arizona is
so private prisons can cash in. We know that
every neighborhood suffers when the trust that an attack on our national values and how deeply
communities should feel for police (and vice versa) it impacted every family. And what the Supreme
Court decides could either open the door for 50
is destroyed.
different immigration laws for 50 different states or
There is ample evidence that the Arizona vision convince Washington that our families can’t wait
emboldens racists. It is no accident that anti-Latino for real reform any longer.
hate crimes spiked in late 2010 and early 2011,
after Arizona passed SB1070. The rise in anti-Latino The Court’s decision is expected sometime in June.

April 23, 2010: S.B. 1070 signed into law
with the stated purpose of making “attrition
through enforcement the public policy of
all state and local government agencies in
Arizona.”

Image from the Texas Can Do Better
Rally in Austin on February 22, 2011.

By Monica Peña

SaulPaul, an Austin musician with a message,
has joined forces with the African American
Men and Boys Harvest Foundation (AAMBHF)
as shift coordinator in hopes of making an
impact on at-risk youth. SaulPaul will work
with youth released from Gardner Betts
Juvenile Detention Center and prospective
mentors, male and female, who are willing to
make a difference with their lives as mentors.
SaulPaul began his career in 2002, motivating
and encouraging youth through his music and
life changing message of how he went from
“Tower to Tower.” The driving force behind
SaulPaul’s passion is his life journey from
growing up a foster youth, going to college,
flunking out and ultimately being sent to
prison in the Texas State Penitentiary. There, he
decided to make better choices and after being
paroled, he was admitted to the University
of Texas at Austin where he graduated with
honors. From prison, where his only view was
of the watch guard tower, to graduation in the
shadow of the famous UT clock tower.
Today, he views mentorship as the key to
solving social problems, especially in the area of
black male leadership where African American
males are seldom shown in a good light in the
media. “My life was changed because of people

July 28, 2010: U.S. District Court grants a
preliminary injunction finding that federal
law likely pre-empts four specific provisions
of the Arizona law–sections 2B, 3, 5(C), & 6.
April 11, 2011: Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals upholds the preliminary injunction.
August 10, 2011: State of Arizona files a
petition for review with the U.S. Supreme
Court.
December 12, 2011: U.S. Supreme Court
grants certiorari, agreeing to hear the case.

What may surprise many people is that SB1070’s
tendency to promote discrimination and racial
profiling was not the issue before the court.
However, for families, communities, people of
faith and honest Americans across the country,

SaulPaul’s Message of Mentorship

July 6, 2010: U.S. Department of Justice
files suit to block the implementation of S.B.
1070.

April 25, 2012: Oral arguments begin before
eight of the justice of the Supreme Court.
Source: Center for American Progress

who cared and now I want to be a bridge
between those who care and those who are
standing on the borderline between success
and failure,” said SaulPaul, now in position to
ensure that youth are receiving the resources
as well as guidance to succeed.

CARY’s 6th Annual
Distinguished
Speaker Benefit
By Monica Peña

The Council on At-Risk Youth (CARY) will
hold their 6th annual distinguished speaker
benefit dinner with school bullying and
violence prevention expert, James A. Fox,
Ph.D., introduced by Austin Police Chief Art
Acevedo, on Tuesday, May 15, at the AT&T
Conference Center. A reception with silent
auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.
“Providing learning opportunities like this to
the Austin community is a key part of CARY’s
mission to help our youth create safe schools
and safe communities,” said Executive
Director Adrian Moore. “And last year, CARY
provided non-violence training to more than
600 Austin youth.”
AAMBHF works cooperatively with local
school districts and institutions of higher
education to identify the barriers preventing
academic achievement and to eliminate the
academic achievement gap between AfricanAmerican and Caucasian students. SaulPaul
can be reached at 512-428-4485 or SaulPaul@
aambharvestfoundation.org.

Fox is the Lipman Family Professor of
Criminology, Law and Public Policy at
Northeastern University and co-author of
“Bullying Prevention Is Crime Prevention.”
As an authority on homicide, Fox has written
18 books, appeared frequently on national
television programs, given numerous lectures
and expert testimony, including before the

U.S. Congress, served on President Clinton’s
advisory committee on school shootings
and a Department of Education Expert Panel
on Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools,
provided briefing to Attorney General Janet
Reno on trends in violence, served as a
visiting fellow with the U.S. Department of
Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics focusing
on the measurement of homicide trends, and
made a presentation for Princess Anne of
Great Britain.
Founded in 1999 after the Columbine
tragedy, CARY intervenes in the lives of
students with severe disciplinary issues who
are labeled “at-risk” by their teachers and
school administrators. CARY helps these
disadvantaged students learn the social skills
and develop the self-confidence to resist
patterns of violent behavior that lead to the
criminal justice system. In the ten Austin
Independent School District middle and high
schools with CARY programs, the average
age of a CARY student is 13 years; 95% are
minorities; 80% are males. More than 75% are
from single parent households and more than
50% of CARY students have family members
who are or have been in the penal system. For
more information on the CARY or the event
visit: www.councilonatriskyouth.org or call
512-451-4592.
TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com 05

May is Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month
By Yvonne Lim Wilson

When we think of May, thoughts drift to the end of spring and
plans for summer, maybe celebrating Cinco de Mayo with
margaritas. But did you know that in 1992 May was designated
by Congress as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
May is the perfect time to learn more about local Asian American
groups, organizations and businesses. One great event is the 5th
Annual Austin Asian Occasion on Saturday, May 26 at the Long
Center, Dell Hall. Enjoy various Asian dance, music from the winners
of the Asian American Community Partnership’s Young Musician
Festival as well as a special Master’s Concert featuring worldacclaimed musicians: Charles Yang (violin), Professor DaXun
Zhang (bass), Dr. Tomoko Kashiwagi (piano) and Professor Hai
Zheng (cello). Proceeds will benefit the People’s Community Clinic.
For more see www.AsianAustin.com.
DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL f The 14th Annual Dragon Boat

Festival, held at Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake on April 28, saw
Austin’s homegrown team, the Austin Coolers, take first place in
two divisions: the Competitive Championship and the Recreational
Championship. The Dell team received first place in the Recreational
Consolation category.

were subjected to unfair discrimination. Ramey Ko, a member of
the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific
Islanders, organized the event, which was sponsored by the Austin
Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Texas Asian Chamber
of Commerce.

This year, 18 teams competed in the races. “The Festival has truly
measured up to the expectation of this ‘Year of the Yang Water
Dragon’ with more participants and more excitement,” said Amy
Wong Mok, founder and CEO of the Asian American Cultural
Center, which sponsored the event along with the Asian American
Community Partnership. “This is the year to dream and dream
BIG. We shall have a bigger vision for the Dragon Boat Festival in
2013.” Visit www.AsianAustin.com for a complete listing of winners.

ASIAN CHAMBER MERGER UPDATE f Texas Asian Chamber
of Commerce and the Austin Asian American Chamber of
Commerce are celebrating their official unification announcement
with a proclamation and press conference followed by a light
reception mixer on Friday, May 11, at Austin City Hall beginning at 4
p.m. The event will mark a major milestone for the Asian American
community and the greater Austin Central Texas region in time
for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The community is
invited to attend and learn more about this milestone event, go to
austinasianchamberlaunch.eventbrite.com or contact the chamber
office at 512-407-8240.

“BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING”: CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES IN
EMPLOYMENT f Patricia Shiu, Director of the Office of Federal
Contract Compliance Programs, visited Austin on April 12 for
a community roundtable on Asian American employment and
contracting issues at Satay Restaurant. Director Shiu is one of the
highest ranking Asian Americans in the Obama administration. Since
President Obama took office, OFCCP has recovered more than
$30 million and 4,800 job offers on behalf of 50,000 workers who

“Oral history illuminates both the individual experience and also
the historical period,” said interviewee Ali Khataw. “The archives
will be housed here (at the Austin History Center) indefinitely so
my grandchildren can come one day.”

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Shanti Aggarwal, along with husband J.K. Aggarwal, shared
their story about their decision to donate original photographs
and personal archives. “I came to Austin in 1964. One day
Esther (Chung) emailed us and we found out that we are the
first Indian family to have come and stayed in Austin,” she said.
“We talked to our kids about (donating original copies) and they
are happy that they’ll be looked after much better.”

A reception at the Austin History Center on April 17 celebrated
the first-hand stories of South Asian immigrants and their
unique journeys to the United States.
The event brought together individuals who participated in
the University of Texas at Austin undergraduate course, “South
Asian Migration to the U.S.,” in fall, 2011. Council Member Laura
Morrison attended on behalf of the city and read a proclamation
honoring the occasion.
“I hope you will understand what this community is about and
how much they give back,” said Esther Chung, Asian American
Community Liaison for the Austin History Center.
Under the direction of instructor Amber Abbas, students
interviewed South Asian community members about their
experiences immigrating to the United States. Most of the
interviews and transcripts from the class will be donated to
the Center for the public to access. “We’re seeking a deeper
understanding of the migration experience, not only for the
South Asian community but for all. I’m proud the students’
work will get to have a second life through the Austin History
Center,” Abbas said.
06 TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com

Madeline Hsu, UT’s Center for Asian American Studies Director,
noted the absence of any statues of Asian American heroes on
campus, due to the fact that most people are not aware of Asian
American history. The recent class project and collaboration
with the city is a step towards changing that. “That’s what this
project is about,” she said. “We have a place here.”

Dragon boats race down Lady Bird Lake

Elizabeth Bolton and J.K. Aggarwal

Madeline Hsu and Harish Kotecha

Ali Khataw & Amber Abbas at South Asian oral history reception

The collection is open to the public. The Austin History Center
is accepting donations of any items of historical significance
including photos, documents as well as oral histories. For
details, contact Esther Chung at 512-974-7394, esther.chung@
austintexas.gov.
You can read more about the project on Amber Abbas’s
blog through the South Asian Digital Archives at www.
saadigitalarchive.org

Lakshmi Vajapeyam, Bharati Desai, Esther Chung and Dhila Vaidya

COMUNIDAD SPOTLIGHT

Sikhism in Austin
by Mandeep Singh Chadha

Singh Sabha Gurdwara of Austin (SSGA) is home
to a small but growing Sikh community in the
city and surrounding areas. The Gurdwara was
formally established in early 2001 and registered as
an independent non-profit organization in 2003.
For the last ten years, SSGA has been conducting
services on the first Saturday of every month in a
rented church hall with the help of community
volunteers. SSGA has now embarked on a mission
to establish a Gurdwara building in Austin.
Sikhism is the fifth largest organized religion in the
world, primarily developed in 16th and 17th century
India. The word “Sikh” comes from the Sanskrit
root “sisya”, which means “disciple” or “learner.”
The faith is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak
Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism, and nine successive
Sikh Gurus. The followers of Sikhism are ordained
to follow the Guru Granth Sahib, which is a
compilation of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, or
enlightened leaders. Guru Granth Sahib includes
the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus as well
as selected works of other great saints including
those of the Hindu and Muslim faiths. The text was
decreed the final guru of the Sikhs by Guru Gobind
Singh, the tenth guru.
----------------------------------------------

elsewhere in the world. Sikh men and some Sikh
women can be identified by their practice of
always wearing a turban to cover their long hair.
Almost 99% of the people wearing a turban in the
US today are Sikhs. To a Sikh, wearing a turban
represents complete commitment to the faith.
Under no circumstances should it be forcibly
removed. Sikhs are easily recognized by their
turban and are duty bound to offer help to anyone
in need. Everyone is welcome in a Sikh Gurdwara
or temple.
For more information on Austin’s Sikh community,
please visit the SSGA website at www.
austingurdwara.org, or call (512) 222-SSGA or
e-mail ec@austingurdwara.org.

Guru Granth Sahib is held in the highest esteem
by the Sikhs. It is perhaps the only scripture of its
kind that contains not only the teachings of its own
religious founders but also writings of people from
other faiths. The Granth forms the central part of a
Sikh place of worship called a gurdwara. The Holy
Scripture is placed with great respect and dignity
upon a decorated platform or throne in the main
hall of the gurdwara during the day.
Today, Sikhs can be found all over India and

Hudson hopes to engage members of the Turkish
community in the project and receive feedback
to help the students better understand Turkey
and reflect their understanding of the world.
The documentaries will screen in the first-floor
classrooms of the Academy for Global Studies at
1715 West Cesar Chavez.
Under the Ottoman Umbrella: A Conversation
on the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Arab Lands
----------------------------------------------

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

As-Salāmu `Alaykum
Austin by Onur Kaya
“Connecting Central Texas Businesses to
European Markets” Texas EU Summit | May 3,
2012
The Texas EU Summit 2012 will provide small
businesses, policy makers and economic
development professionals with an overview
of how to target trade and business expansion
opportunities in Europe.
The summit is Thursday, May 3 at the AT&T
Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900
University Avenue, from 8 a.m.—3 p.m. The $35
fee includes breakfast, lunch, and materials. Learn
more at texaseusummit.org

---------------------------------------------The opening sentence of the Sikh scriptures is only
two words that reflect the base belief of all who
adhere to the teachings of the religion. Ek Onkar—
“Ek” is One and “Onkar” is God—”There is only
one God.” The principal belief of Sikhism is faith in
waheguru, the Universal God. Sikhism advocates
the pursuit of salvation through disciplined,
personal meditation on the name and message of
God. A key distinctive feature of Sikhism is a nonanthropomorphic concept of God, to the extent
that one can interpret God as the Universe itself.

about Turkey.” The students have put together
a documentary for their Senior Showcase about
their Turkish experience, which will screen
Monday, May 21, at 6 p.m.

Book Exhibition: Sarajevo Under Siege
The civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the
break-up of Yugoslavia and the brutal conflict
between Christian Serbs and Muslim Bosnians
will be examined on Sunday, May 6 from noon4 p.m. at the Raindrop Turkish House (12400
Amherst). The afternoon includes a presentation
from Bosnian writer, Dr. Esad Boskailo, who spent
long years in six Serbian concentration camps
and survived to tell his story in a book about his
dramatic experiences: “Wounded I Am, But More
Awake.” Also featured is Bosnian-born Ahmet
M. Rahmanovic, one of the organizers of the
“Thousand-days defense of Sarajevo.”
Rahmanovic, who now resides in Chicago, wrote
“Black Soul,” a story about the civil war which
follows the trials of Hamza, a young Bosnian
fighter who witnesses unspeakable atrocities and
acts out of revenge in a downward spiral of almost
surreal violence.
The Academy for Global Studies at Austin High
School presents Turkey on Film
While a group of Austin High School students
visited Turkey in April, those who remained
dropped by the Raindrop Turkish House to
sample Turkish music and cuisine and learn
about its art, history, sports and traditions.
The coordinator of the student group, English
teacher Brian Hudson, said “We thoroughly
enjoyed our visit and we learned a great deal

As if an array of purifying shloka chants, the
alaap and ensuing vilambit khyal “Gajarawa
baajo” in Raag Shree transformed the hall at
Wells Branch Library into a divine setting. As
the lilting opening phrase signaled the slow
rocking tilwada beat-cycle to commence,
the mood was set and the listeners were
engulfed in an unstoppable two hour listening
experience.
Kulkarni-Patil, a new-generation Agra-Gwalior
Gharana Hindustani classical vocalist blessed
with a captivating voice and an amazing range
across octaves, gave a powerhouse, blazing
performance with her lightening taankari with
the talented team of Shri. Rajiv Paranjape on
harmonium and Shri. Mayank Bedekar on
tabla, providing accompaniment. Manjushaji’s
mature Shree rendition soared into the
popular madhyalaya, “Chalo ri mai Ramsiya,” a
composition by Pt. Anant Manohar Joshi and
performed a brisk “Saanjh bhaee,” displaying
skillful rhythmic play and effortless maneuvers
to hit higher notes in the upper octave. A
traditional bandish ki thumri “Dekho dekho
kanhaiyya rokey” in Raag Bihag, followed by an
on-demand “Mero Piya and Ghana se Ghana”
in Raag Nayaki Kanada again proved her vocal
prowess. She concluded her recital, with Hori
“Rang daarongi main toh” and Bhairavi.
----------------------------------------------

Kala Darpan
Providing Platform
for Indian Classical
Music by Manasi Joshi-Singh
Singing phrases laden with intense nishad and the
sway of komal rishabh-pancham, Smt. Manjusha
Kulkarni-Patil punctuated the enigmatic aura of
the dusk at the April 6 opening concert presented
by Kala Darpan, a new non-profit organization
promoting classical music events in Austin.
----------------------------------------------

Smt. Manjusha Kulkarni-Patil

----------------------------------------------

Shri. Rajendra Teredesai

---------------------------------------------Kala Darpan is providing a platform for
emerging Indian and Indian American artists
as well as established professional artists, with
a mission to showcase all forms of fine arts
from India, reflecting its rich history and multifaceted nature. Flautist Shri. Rajendra Teredesai
will perform on Saturday, May 19, with Shri.
Gourishankar on tabla and an Indo-Jazz
segment by Sangeet Millennium. For ticket
information please visit www.kaladarpan.org.
TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com 07

South Asian Spice
By Harish Kotecha

Gujarati Samaj Picnic
Gujarati Samaj of Greater Austin held their 19th
Annual Family Picnic at Elizabeth Milburn Park in
Cedar Park on April 21. Over 240 people attended
the event to socialize, enjoy delicious ethnic
Guajarati foods and games including Antakshari
which was played as the sun set. Families took
time out to reconnect as both children and adults
enjoyed a magic show, moonwalk, housie game,
sack race, water balloon toss, and of course
cricket. The picnic was marked by the variety of
Gujarati delicacies, from garma garam bhajiya
to papad & papdi. More information on Gujarati
Samaj is available at www. gujaustin.org.
Nepali New Year Celebration
The Austin Bhutanese Community high school
and middle school students presented an inspired
performance to celebrate the 2069th Nepali
New Year in Austin. The colorful musical dances
included a dance depicting friendship and another,
a relationship between daughter and father.
“Austin has about 70 immigrant/refuge families
who have been resettled by Caritas and Refuge
Services of Texas since 2009,” said Bishnu Sapkota,
one of the community leaders. The function at
Austin Event Center was well attended by the
Bhutanese families, guests from schools and
resettlement agencies, friends and volunteers

involved with Bhutanese families. The Nepali New
Year (Navavarsha) Vikram Samvat marks the victory
of emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain over Sakas in 56
BCE.
Ugadi Observed in Austin

9th Annual
Bollywood Bash
Raises Awareness,
Funds for SAHELI

Paneer Sisters, performed a show-stopping
dance number to a medley of popular
Bollywood songs, as the night wore on to a
2 a.m. peak that found enthusiastic dancers
requesting ‘just one more song.’ Kaushlesh
Biyani, a Houston based photographer,
captured the night while Henna artist Megan
Zvezda provided creative henna tattoos.
Event organizers Selina Keilani and Tracy
Thottam led the third edition of the annual
fundraiser, assisted by tech-expert Arvind
Raman. From its inception, the producers of
Bollywood Bash have maintained their goal of
building a unique Austin event that entertains
while raising awareness about SAHELI. By all
accounts, the goal was achieved again.

Ugadi, the New Year day for the Hindus between the
rivers Godavari and Kaveri, was commemorated by
the Teluga Cultural Association of Austin with song
and dance performances on April 21 at C.D. Fulkes
Middle School. As per the Lunar or Hindu calendar,
yugadi corresponds to the first day of the first half
of the Chaitra month, Chaitra Shudhdha Padyami
(Chaitra Sudda Prathami), which usually comes in
March or April months of the regular Gregorian
calendar. The telugu community observes the
day by preparing Ugadi Pachadi. The South Indian
calendar follows the procedure of Salivahana era
(Salivahana Saka), and counts its years starting
from the year 78 AD of the Gregorian calendar.
Hence the year 2000 AD marks the year 1922 of
the Salivahana Saka.

Some 400 people attended the 9th annual
Bollywood Bash at the Scoot Inn on April 14,
raising $3,500 for SAHELI for Asian Families,
a non-profit that provides assistance to
Asian and other immigrant families dealing
with domestic violence, sexual assault, and
trafficking.
The all-out dance party featured DJ Dan
Singh at the turntable, mixing beats from
India and around the world for an animated
crowd which filled the floor. Selina Keilani,
Erin Negron, and Monica Malhotra, the Flying

We Thank Our Sponsors of
Pan Americana Festival 2012

www.bellasartesalliance.com

Pachanga Festival was Austin’s first major Latino
rock bash of its kind when it was created five
years ago. A vibrant blend of Latino-created music
and art, it stands today as a cultural bellwether of
the community’s support for Hispanic heritage.

Pachanga is Austin looking at itself in
a parabolic mirror, its sound a hyper,
growing rhythm echoing the brown
sound of the soon-to-be demographic
majority clamoring to be heard.

The
festival has changed Austin for the better and
this year’s artist line-up gives the perception
that the city doesn’t have to look any farther
for its musical inheritance than Fiesta Gardens
on Friday and Saturday, May 11-12. There’s a
heavy brew of hybridizing, genre-jumping music
phenomenons on the bill. “The perfect storm
of Tex-Mex programming,” said Rich Garza,

Pachanga’s founder. “Los Lonely Boys, Alejandro
Escovedo, Girl in a Coma and Ruben Ramos,
mixed with the international stuff like Ana Tijoux,
Forro in the Dark and Chico Trujillo, plus exciting
stuff happening on the coasts like Outernational
and La Santa Cecelia.”
Then there is the outfit from Puerto Rico, Calle
13, a communal experience like no other in the
hemisphere today. A band for the Age of La Raza,
with an iconic sound that resurrects the souls of
mestizo ancestors from the Strait of Magellan to
Lady Bird Lake and beyond. UNICEF calls Calle 13 a
“cultural reference for all young people throughout
Latin America.” The band shattered records at the
Latin American Grammy’s by sweeping nine awards
in a single evening (they’ve earned a record 19
overall). Champions of the dispossessed, they’ve
become a musical institution for social change on
the weight of their trailblazing campaign against
human trafficking and exploitation. A group of

players writing the social anthems for the twentyfirst century, Calle 13 are genuine legends in the
making. Friday night, 9 p.m.
To experience Pachanga is to get a feel for the
“new Austin,” an authentic, creative, cross-cultural
community of unrepentant, sun worshipping,
outdoor festival hedonists. It is essential viewing
and a music experience like no other.
This year’s Pachanga lineup includes rock,
alternative, Tejano, mariachi, cumbia, salsa,
electronic, funk, hip-hop and indie rock with a
singular theme: bronze skin is in. But as Garza
reminds, “For me, it’s about creating opportunities
for the acts to showcase them to a wider audience
and about bringing people from all cultural
backgrounds together to change stereotypes and
open minds.”
Tickets available at the door or go to www.pachangafest.
com for up-to-the-minute news.

Featured Performers

and lead vocalist Marisoul, whose captivating voice
sings about love, loss and heartbreak. Their influences
range from Miles Davis to The Beatles, Zeppelin to
Janis Joplin and Mercedes Sosa to Ramon Ayala.

bassist JoJo Garza and drummer Ringo Garza, Jr. In
2003, their debut album, “Los Lonely Boys,” earned
national attention with their Grammy Award winning
CALLE 13 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) is noted for its single “Heaven.” Currently touring behind their latest
eclectic musical style, often using unconventional CD, “Rockpango,” Los Lonely Boys continue to bring
instrumentation in its music which distances the their Latin blues rock style into 2012 and beyond.
group from the reggaeton genre. The band is
also known for its satirical lyrics as well as social
commentary about Latin American issues and culture.

photo by Marina Chavez

photo by Piper Ferguson

For their work, the group has won nineteen
Latin Grammy Awards. They hold the
record for the most Latin Grammy wins
and have also won two Grammy Awards.
-----------------------------------------------LOS LONELY BOYS (San Angelo, TX) The Tex-Mex
rock groups, Los Lonely Boys, hail from San Angelo
and consist of three brothers, guitarist Henry Garza,

-----------------------------------------------CHICO TRUJILLO (Valparaíso, Chile) Born as a
side-project from the legendary punk-ska band
La Floripondio, Chico Trujillo has quickly vaulted in
popularity to become the most talked about band
from the southern cone. Their initial motive was
simple: blow some new life into the classic Cumbias
of yesteryear. The sound is a blend of classic
cumbias, boleros, and other Latin sounds, with a
hint of Gypsy Balkan horns and a tinge of reggae.

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO (Austin, TX) Alejandro
Escovedo is one with his muse and his music. Over
a lifetime spent traversing the bridge between
words and melody, he has ranged over an
emotional depth that embraces all forms of genre
and presentation, a resolute voice that weathers
the emotional terrain of our lives, its celebrations
and despairs, landmines and blindsides and
upheavals and beckoning distractions, in search for
ultimate release and the healing truth of honesty.
-----------------------------------------------LA SANTA CECILIA (Los Angeles, CA) La Santa
Cecilia consists of guitarist Gloria Estrada, accordionist
and requintero Jose Carlos, bassist Alex Bendana,
percussionist Miguel Ramirez, drummer Hugo Vargas

photo by Rene Miranda

-----------------------------------------------PELIGROSA ALLSTARS (Austin, TX) Orion,
Manolo Black, Pagame, Dj Dus, Hobo D, Sonora,
King Louie, Quito, and vj 4th Wall comprise
what is Austin’s premiere Latin dance party,
Peligrosa. Sultry unpressured dancing and that
dangerously fierce young woman beckon the
Latin Flavor. For more than 4 years, Peligrosa has
spread the message of Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue,
Reggaeton, Boogaloo and a long heritage of
rhythms to an unsuspecting Austin market.

TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com 09

Cont. on pg. 10

Cont. from pg. 9

FORRO IN THE DARK (New York/Brazil) Forró GUSTAVO GALINDO (Los Angeles, CA) spaghetti westerns, chicha, vintage soul and
is the hip-swiveling, dancefloor-filling, rural party Gustavo Galindo’s music is a reflection of his life’s bachata, can be found on “Todos Somos Ilegales”’.
music of Brazil’s northeastern states. And Forró in journey between two countries and two cultures. -----------------------------------------------the Dark is the collective of four New York-based
Brazilian ex-pats—Mauro Refosco (zabumba drum
and vocals) Davi Vieira (percussion and vocals)
Guilherme Monteiro (guitar and vocals) and Jorge
Continentino (pifano flute, sax and vocals)—who are
updating this traditional sound for the 21st century.
GOBI (Laredo, TX) GOBI is an electro-dance three
piece that combines club shaking beats with the
explosive energy of a live band. Adrenaline fueled
percussion, guitar, and synths makes GOBI a band
photo by Piper Ferguson
that thrives on their live performance. GOBI is an
Not restricted by language or genre, Gustavo’s sound experience, an entangled wonder of lyrical verses,
is a combination of traditional and contemporary up tempo grooves, and ballistic drumming, that
Mexican and American styles. In 2008, he released commands the crowd and leaves the dance floor
his first Spanish-language EP, “La Ciudad,” catching singed. “The Late Night” EP is gaining rave revues.
the attention of many. His full-length debut, “Entre la -----------------------------------------------Ciudad y el Mar,” is out now on Surco/Universal Latino,
------------------------------------------------ featuring two singles, “Te Perdí“ and “Barco de Papel.”
ANA TIJOUX (Santiago, Chile) Regarded by -----------------------------------------------many as the best rapper in the Spanish language,
Ana Tijoux’s career has spanned 10 years of
pure hits. Starting with her groundbreaking
group Makiza–which mixed socially conscious
lyrics with production styles unheard of in Latin
America–to collaborations that turned into worldwide hits to the voice of the Gorillaz-inspired,
PATRICIA VONNE (Austin, TX) Since her self-titled
#1 children’s animated hit show Pulentos, Tijoux
debut album, the lovely San Antonio born and bred
has always been at the forefront of her genre.
singer-songwriter has built an enthusiastic following
for her lyrically and stylistically multilingual sound
melding a rainbow of genres and musical flavors.
GIRL IN A COMA (San Antonio, TX) San Antonio’s The 2009 Grand Prize winner in the Latin category
Girl In A Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for “La
hearts of music lovers with their piercing songs and Huerta de San Vincente,” “Mujeres Desaparecidas”
nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular is featured on the Amnesty International website.
trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 -----------------------------------------------and have found champions and comrades along EL DUSTY (Corpus Christi, TX) DJ DUS has
the way, building one of the most impassioned taken the principals of 1970’s era Jamaican sound
and diverse fan bases in music. Girl in a Coma systems, a producer’s approach to developing
are that rare feral band, unaffected by trends. new material and a DJ’s skill behind the turntables
------------------------------------------------ to develop a unique and inspired mix of cumbia,
hip hop and reggae tracks that translates to a new
-----------------------------------------------and fresh sound, best described as NU-Cumbia.
CHINGO BLING (Houston, TX) As one Texas’ premier
-----------------------------------------------underground rappers/entrepreneurs, Chingo Bling
MANEJA BETO (Austin, TX) Indie en Español from
has achieved a level of independent success that only
Austin, Maneja Beto occupies the universe where Joy
a few in his generation have accomplished. Dubbed
Division meets up with Café Tacuba in an East Austin
the Latin Russell Simmons because of his ability to
cantina and riff on Eno-era Talking Heads songs.
skillfully parley himself into a remarkably successful
Maneja Beto’s members are a close-knit group of
brand, he released “They Can’t Deport Us All” to
friends and artists who are Austin politicos, teachers,
rave reviews. He also continues to be a viable force BROWNOUT (Austin, TX) Brownout may well mechanics, technicians and in the latest development
with the Southern and Latino hip hop community. be Grupo Fantasma’s psychedelic Latin funk little
------------------------------------------------ brother, an offshoot of the collective that regularly
backs Prince, its latest incarnation, or even its
alter ego. Brownout has taken Grupo Fantasma’s
funk roots and blown them up. In the process
they’ve taken on a life and developed a unique
sound all their own. “Aguilas and Cobras” stands
as testament of their one of a kind evolution.
------------------------------------------------

10 TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com

photo by Todd V. Wolfson

-----------------------------------------------UMANO ACHE (Laredo, TX) Umano Aché is a
group of young Mexican musicians who, after being
part of the local rock scene since the late 90’s, got
together in 2009 to make new music. Despite border
violence from the drug war, they locked themselves
in the studio in October 2010 and created some
awesome Latin alternative music. Their first LP, “Pa’l
Mundo,” includes songs with a wide musical mix
and the future looks bright for the “sextet of Laredo.”
-----------------------------------------------ANTHROPOS MUSICIANS COLLECTIVE (Austin,
TX) Anthropos Arts is an Austin-based nonprofit
organization, 501(c)3, working primarily in the
East Austin community to bring top professional
musicians into Title I, low-income middle and high
schools to offer free music lessons, workshops,
master classes, and performance opportunities
to economically disadvantaged youth. The
program draws on the rich pool of very talented
musicians in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
-----------------------------------------------POLITICS (Austin, TX) Politics is defined as a
process by which groups of people make collective
decisions. The sounds are dark, riveting, and
lush yet somehow vaguely familiar. The strings
transition from lovely chimes to thick, aggressive
leads in an instant. The rhythm section pulses like
clockwork and above it all, haunting and soulful vocal
expressions. Politics harmonize to create melodies
that invoke longing, desire, hope, and intrigue.

Niños Rock Pachanga

photo by Lefty Ray Chapa

RUBEN
RAMOS
&
THE
MEXICAN
REVOLUTION (Austin, TX) Ruben Perez Ramos
now sits at the helm of a family musical legacy
borne over 80 years ago. This legacy—El Legado—
is set with traditional Mexican roots, was infused
with the big-band sound of the 1940s, heavily
influenced by blues and rock, and is now perched
at the pinnacle of La Onda: Tejano. In 1999, the
group received the Best Male Vocalist and Video
of the Year awards at the Tejano Music Awards.

of Alex Chavez, doctoral holders with portfolios
in Mexican American Studies and Cultural Studies.
-----------------------------------------------DAVID GARZA (Austin, TX) Davíd Garza’s outfit
Twang Twang Shaka Boom gained industry attention
for Garza’s combination of pop-savvy songwriting
and Robert Plant-style vocals. After leaving the
group, he gigged continually and eventually
signed with Lava/Atlantic, which landed him a slot
on the “Great Expectations” soundtrack before
releasing his major-label debut, “This Euphoria,”
subsequently drawing multiple critical accolades.

photo by Ashley Noelle

OUTERNATIONAL (New York City, NY) With
roots directly planted in Greenwich Village,
NYC’s Outernational has assembled an arsenal of
blistering future rock and roll, defiant lyrics and
an infectious sense of rhythm that is reminiscent
of The Clash and Rage Against The Machine.
Their tightly-woven soundscapes reference hard
rock, hip hop, cumbia, corridos, gypsy punk,

is a free (with a paid adult),
family friendly day that inspires children to discover and learn
more about Latino music, arts and culture. Saturday, May 12
within the Pachanga Latino Music Festival.
Interactive Kids Festival

Addressing Low Voter Turnout and Geographic Representation
Austin has a problem getting out the vote in
municipal elections. Since 1971, the number of
citizens voting in Austin mayoral elections has
remained fairly constant, but the number of
registered voters increased from 93 thousand
to over 450 thousand. Electoral participation is
a key indicator of a healthy vibrant democracy,
enfranchised voters take to the polls because they
desire to have their views and ideals protected by
their elected representatives. What gives? Austin
is booming, decisions about the future of our city
are being made today, so why aren’t our fellow
Austinites at the polls in droves to elect and hold
our city council accountable to our interests?
There is no one answer, but many believe the
three issues below are responsible for the decline
in voter participation in municipal elections.
Austin City Council is largely invisible from
the public eye. Before every major election in

November we all are barraged with campaign ads
from every direction; radio, Facebook, television,
signs, phone calls. However, people running for
mayor or Austin City Council are curiously absent
from the bi-annual media onslaught. In 2006,
voters in Austin passed a charter amendment
raising the campaign contribution limit from a
paltry $100 per person limit in municipal elections
passed in 1997 to $350 per person. Voter turnout
has plummeted since 1997 from 30% of eligible
voters participating in mayoral elections to 15%,
the number is worse in non-mayoral races, with
participation having declined to around 7%.

for State Representative in Austin cost well
over $300,000. Using basic math with State
Representative campaigns as your baseline, an
effective city council race would cost almost 5
times more with more people to reach, a nearly
impossible goal with current limits unless a
candidate has great personal wealth. This has
led to Austin’s own sort of “Super PAC” solution
to campaign limits, interest groups (like the
Sierra Club and the West Austin Neighborhood
Association) and their endorsements have
become vital tools for candidates to position
themselves in front of the electorate.

Limiting campaign contributions to $350 per
person sounds great until you realize how little
that amount is when compared with other
Austin elections. With at-large districts, Austin
City Council members represent over 800,000
people; Texas State Representatives represent
170,000 people. Highly contested campaigns

Could the lack of information coming from city
candidates explain why Will Wynn won two
elections? Is there anyone in our city named
Austin S. Mayer? If so, good candidate name
identification could easily defeat other microfunded candidates.
Austin is the largest municipality in the
United States without geographic municipal
representation. This means our six city council
members are elected by and are supposed to
represent all of Austin.
According to Austinites for Geographic
Representation, West Austin is home to 10% of
Austin’s population and has been home to 50.4%
of all council members over the past 40 years,
and to 15 of the past 17 mayors. West Austin is
also home to an active voter base, turning out
for municipal elections and claiming nine of the
top ten most active precincts, all west of Mopac.
East Austin’s issues and needs are significantly
different than those of West Austin. Who can
East Austin count on to represent their issues
and who can they hold accountable? Since
1971, the City establishment has addressed the
need for minority representation on council
through an informal “gentleman’s agreement”,
reserving certain seats for minorities on council.
It doesn’t always work; both of Austin’s minority
council members are being challenged by
Caucasian candidates this election. Austin is
diverse culturally, economically and politically,
it is impossible for an at-large council member
to be an effective advocate for all groups. With
council members representing all of Austin, it is
understandable that neighborhoods turning out
to vote get council’s attention first.
Municipal elections in Austin are held on a
second Saturday every May, not in November
when our state and national elections are held.

12 TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com

By Ryan Hutchison

Last May, Austinites cast only 32,000 ballots in
three city council races. In the 2010 November
2nd election, over 176,000 Austinites voted on
Proposition 1, a municipal bond proposal. Surely
there is a more effective way to get Austin voters
to the polls for municipal races.
We can begin increasing voter participation by
raising annual campaign contribution limits to
$1,000 per year. This is reasonable when you
consider the huge population our municipal
candidates must reach out to, and is small
enough to ensure no one donor entirely funds
a candidate. More campaign funds will enable
new candidates with the capacity to present
themselves and their ideas to the electorate.

West Austin is home
to 10% of Austin’s
population and
50.4% of all council
members over the
past 40 years.
Adopt a system for geographic municipal
representation and expand the number of
current council members to 10. This would
allow Austin’s many diverse neighborhoods to
have council members who are accountable
to their neighbors and responsive to the unique
needs of the area they represent.
Align Austin municipal elections with the
November state and federal election. Electoral
turnout is always driven by the top of the
ballot, with municipal elections aligned with
hot congressional and state races, Austin’s
municipal voter turnout would more than
quintuple. Austin would also save over $1.5
million dollars each election by being included
on the November ballot and not having separate
municipal elections in May.
There is no simple solution but Austin has
finally begun taking action to address low
voter turnout and geographic representation.
Time will tell what Austin does to create a more
vibrant democracy in our great city. Stay tuned
to the actions at City Hall to see what happens.

CASA of Travis County Wins National Inclusion Award
CASA of Travis County has increased diversity in all levels and activities of its organization by
dedicating staff and resources to this strategic plan goal. For its efforts, it’s being recognized by
CASA’s national body with the CASA 2012 Inclusion Award. f “We are thrilled to receive such an
honor,” said Sonia Kotecha, CASA of Travis County’s community outreach liaison. “We acknowledge
that our journey in becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization does not end here, we still
have a long road ahead of us. This award only inspires and motivates us to continue on the path we
have started.” f CASA has focused on building relationships with child welfare partners, expanded
awareness in diverse communities and served on various community work groups. “I very much
respect and appreciate the work (they’re) doing on the issues of diversity and inclusiveness,” said
Darlene Byrne, 126th Judicial District judge. “(The organization) is working with genuine dedication
not only to educate their current volunteers and staff on the critical importance of a healthy racial and
ethnic identify in the children they serve but is also working to recruit a more diverse volunteer pool
as well.” f The award presentation will take place at the National CASA conference in Washington,
DC this coming June.
National Foster Care Month

Haley an Advocate for Youth in Foster Care
He Never Had By Callie Langford
Dustin Haley entered the foster care system at age eight along with his sisters. His mother had severe
problems with alcohol abuse, was rarely home to care for her children and was often abusive to his
siblings. Haley lived in 13 different homes (almost never with his sisters) and went to 10 different
schools before he aged out of the system at 18.
Haley’s case is not unique, but unfortunately his current success may be. Youth who age out of
foster care are at higher risk for unplanned parenthood, unemployment, welfare dependency,
incarceration and homelessness. Haley focused on school, knowing that a good education would
be his best chance for a bright future. Haley shared that “having a goal to go to a good college got
me through all the transitions. A lot of the other kids in the homes I lived in were trouble makers, so
I just went home and did my homework each day. I tried to stay away from that.”

3rd Annual Globeys Come to East
Austin College Prep
By Cindy Casares

On May 17, East Austin College Prep (EAPrep) will hold its third annual Globeys. The awards show
honors EAPrep middle school students participating in the Globaloria video game design curriculum.
Globaloria, created by a non-profit company called World Wide Workshop, teaches kids to design
games that create solutions for social change. I caught up with Dr. Idit Harel Caperton, President
and Founder of World Wide Workshop, while she was in town from New York City for the SITE and
SXSWedu 2012 education conferences. Seated in the frenetic halls of the Austin Convention Center,
she told me her impressions of her most recent visit to EAPrep where she participated in giving a tour
of the school’s Globaloria program to SITE attendees.
“It was a fantastic experience for us because people are always talking about how education in other
countries is better,” Harel Caperton said. “There were close to 20 people who came from many
nationalities, (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Saudi Arabia, The Philippines, China and Israel
to name a few), and they were all very excited about what East Austin College Prep is doing.”
What it’s done is become the first charter school to integrate the Globaloria network and curriculum
as a school-wide teaching and learning opportunity. Globaloria was started five years ago by World
Wide Workshop to teach students how to design social issue and STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) games in flash.
Today, Harel Caperton says, “it’s a vibrant network with 2000 students and educators in five states and
growing. East Austin College Prep is a shining star in our network.”
One reason she and her team love working with EAPrep is because the school is a startup, too. “We’re
all entrepreneurs together who’ve gone through the challenges of moving from an idea to a fully
operating school, and maybe one day, even a chain of schools.”

His efforts worked. Haley’s studying kinesiology at the University of Texas and plans to attend grad
school for physical therapy. He still uses studying “as a way to work through what’s happening in my
personal life. When you age out of care you don’t have parents to go home and talk to. You have
friends, but who do you go to when you have friend problems?”
Now Haley’s sharing his experience as a CASA volunteer working with teens that are most likely
going to age out of the system as well. He called CASA of Travis County in the summer of 2011
when he was still just 20 years old, knowing he could better manage the 30-hour training when he
wasn’t in the middle of classes. Then he just had to wait for his 21st birthday last December to get
started on a case.
Haley never had a CASA volunteer, but knew youth who did. “I saw them hang out with their CASA.
They seemed a lot happier with this person around,” recalled Haley. Even though he never had that
constant adult, Haley wants to be an advocate for others. “There are kids in the system in huge need
of support right now, especially those who are going to age out, and I can hopefully encourage
them to get through. I know it can get better and that there are resources out there for them.”
When asked how all of the years of moving home to home and school to school affected him, Haley
said, “You carry different things from each placement with you. I think I probably have a better life
now than I might have had living with my mom, so I don’t have any hard feelings. Some people have
that hole to fill that their parents left behind, and often they continue the cycle of abuse and neglect
to their own kids. That’s not going to be me, and I want to help other kids break out of it as well.”
Haley has now been on his first case advocating for a teen boy for a few months and shared, “I
remember how I felt while in care, so I have to make sure he knows he can talk to me about anything
and that I’m there for him.”
Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences
of the more than 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system, raising awareness about
the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get
involved—as foster or adoptive parents, CASA volunteers, mentors, or employers. Learn more at
www.fostercaremonth.org or get started as a CASA volunteer at www.casatravis.org.

Cindy Casares with Dr. Idit Harel Caperton, President and Founder of World Wide Workshop

According to Harel Caperton, visitors at the SITE tour were able to witness the amount of learning
students can accomplish in two years by visiting Teresa Valdez’s newly inducted 6th graders and
Nyssa Arcos Evans’ more seasoned 8th graders who, thanks to the Globaloria program, have been
immersed every day for two school years in learning computational languages, collaboration and
communication skills.
“I can really see the culture being created at EAPrep compared to what I’ve seen in years past,” Harel
Caperton said. “Both teachers and students are more and more comfortable. [Principal Marisol
Rocha] really gets the value of this way of thinking and learning and this level of problem solving for
kids who come from homes where the parents don’t fully understand the value of STEM. She sees
results in the kids’ academic performance and test scores and observes their comfort and fluency
with innovation and technology.”
“It’s not just that they’re using computers to do worksheets,” Harel Caperton adds. “Marisol talks a lot
about how they use computers to come up with their own ideas. Every time I hear her speak I get
excited. As the creator of Globaloria, I work with so many principals and educators, and she rocks.”
Last year, over 150 people attended the EAPrep Globeys, including teachers, partners, funders and
researchers. The winners were selected by a committee of 24 judges of AMD employees based on
the following categories: 1) Integration of their chosen educational topic, 2) Creativity of idea, 3)
Quality of research, 4) Programming quality, 5) Overall design, and 6) Game design process.
This year’s Globey’s will feature State Representative Mark Strama as keynote speaker. The show is
open to the public and will be held at East Austin College Prep on May 17.
TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com 13

The Legend of Frank Gomez
Resurrection of a True Austin Music Pioneer
By David Marks

You know it when you hear it: that musician whose style and technique are so much a
part of their being that playing is like breathing. Frank Gomez, a mythical and magical
Austin treasure, is one of those musicians. And it’s no surprise that his is a singular musical
voice as it’s marked by a 40-year quest for independent, original artistry. Gomez’s name is
spoken in Texas’ Latin music industry in almost reverential tones. Though an unsung artist
in mainstream quarters, his reputation as a man of quiet dignity and lethal guitar licks
precedes him across a circuit he helped trail-blaze. Walking a tightrope between soul, blues,
Tejano, jazz, Americana & rock, Gomez’s music is full of technical quality and rich themes.
His story is outsized reality. A reality nourished by
hope, courage and determination to forge music
like no other. To examine a life of heartbreak and
ecstasy in creative solitude, with only a six-stringed
instrument to nourish him. His latest release, “Soul
Resurrection,” is a fluid masterpiece representative
of various time frames in that personal history.
Growing up on military bases on two continents,
Gomez and his brothers, Joe and Danny, were
playing gigs before most kids even wonder about
holding an instrument. “We were in Germany, and
my inspiration was Ricky Nelson, because at the
end of ‘The Ozzie and Harriet Show,’ he’d play a
song,” Gomez recalls. “The show was in German,
but the song was in English. So I bugged my dad
for about three years and got my first guitar on my
10th birthday. My dad got Joe some drums and
then made my other brother, Danny, learn how to
play the bass.”
The Gomez Combo played on the base for the
GI’s with a repertoire of three songs. “When they
wanted another song, we’d play ‘When the Saints
Come Marching In’ as an encore,” Frank said with
a chuckle.
The boys learned from professional musicians
who were being drafted at the time, as their father
engineered meetings with any new draftee players
that came through. Peggy Lee’s guitarist was one
14 TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com

of those. “That’s how we learned how to play ‘Girl said they “had no business in, ‘cause our country
from Ipanema’, ‘The Shadow of Your Smile’ and all wasn’t really COUNTRY. But it passed.”
those songs,” recalled Gomez. “And we learned
The Gomez brothers’ father—who acted as lifelong
how to play James Brown and Wilson Pickett.”
manager—passed away in 1993. Frank took over
Being around the military not only provided the duties, and going solo, fronted several groups,
opportunity, but taught discipline, as well. including Deep Heat, before forming the Frank
Gomez’s band manager Liz Hernandez brags Gomez Band. On taking up managerial duties, Liz
that it’s because of that upbringing that the band Hernandez was shocked to learn that none of the
has never, ever been late for a gig. Gomez now band’s incarnations had recorded anything aside
considers himself lucky that his father was strict from “Funky Beat,” a 45 rpm record.
about practice, though at the time they didn’t
enjoy leaving a good baseball game to give time Hernandez also discovered that Gomez was a
to their instruments. “He made us practice an hour gifted songwriter and she guided him into the
every day when we were learning ... no matter recording studio for his 2007 debut, “Under
what.” The family bounced from Germany to Fort the Influence.” The album showcases Gomez’s
Sill, Oklahoma and back again to Germany before versatility and moves easily between styles and
briefly settling in Austin when their father went to genres. It also features a long list of guest players
Vietnam. Then followed the first of four different including music icons Augie Meyers, Flaco
stints in Alaska where the trio were billed as Mach 3. Jimenez, Ruben Ramos, Max Baca, David Farias,
It was at a jam in 1973 that Frank met percussionist Stefani Montiel and Jerry De La Rosa. Though
Gomez would shy away from the observation, it
B.J. Romero, who became the “fourth brother.”
takes a musical legend to know one.
The band has always been a crowd-pleasing outfit
which drives dancers to the floor. Gomez relates A cross-cultural music pioneer, Gomez attributes
how they transitioned as a cover band through his wide tastes to the characters he encountered
soul music, disco, and even country under the on his military base trek around the world. “We
name of Southern Fire during the “Urban Cowboy” grew up listening to all kinds of music.” The 2011
days. “Six years we played nothing but country.” CD “Soul Resurrection” goes back to the band’s
Their bread and butter were gigs on military bases roots in blues, with some soul, R&B and funk
such as Ford Hood, with a mix of dives that Frank thrown in. During preparation for the recording,

Gomez was struck by a devastating personal
tragedy when his daughter, Rita, was murdered
in her home. “When Rita died in 2009, everything
came to a halt,” explained Hernandez. “As much
as he tried, he could not move forward. When he
finally got back into the studio, the project took
a different direction and as the song process got
underway, the completion of the CD became a
labor of love for everyone involved.”
Gomez describes “Soul Resurrection” as “a
collection of songs that is a renewal of my music,
my band and my life.” He started attending 19th
Street Missionary Baptist Church where he now
plays on Sundays. He credits a renewed faith in
god and Pastor M. C. Walker’s spiritual guidance
with finding the strength to cope with the loss of
his daughter.
Gomez gives some hints about what he sees in
the future, describing the next CD as “R&B based
with Latin tendencies.” He’d also like to go back
to Europe on tour. Brown Sugar, the lead singer
of a soul band that Gomez once played with
christened him “Big Frank” years ago, and he put
the moniker on his signature red Gibson custom
335 electric guitar. “That was the best thing I ever
did,” Frank said with a smile. Big Frank is a man
of substance. His musical reawakening is to be
celebrated, its message of hope crystal clear.

my Stassney and South 1st neighborhood five miles north to Lady Bird
Lake, or three miles south to the Mary Moore Searight Park. The walk
would be along narrow sidewalks with few or no pedestrians, and past
ugly sprawling strip malls, asphalt parking lots and quasi-suburban
tract home developments.

Plum Writing

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl:

When Walking Was Normal

By Alexandra M. Landeros

James Howard Kunstler says he wrote “The Geography of Nowhere”
because he believes “a lot of people share (his) feelings about the tragic
landscape of highway strips, parking lots, housing tracts, mega-malls,
junked cities, and ravaged countryside that makes up the everyday
environment where most Americans live and work.”

The nearest coffee shop is a two-mile walk away. The only things
within walking distance from my house are an elementary school, a
gas station, a seedy bar, a liquor store, a CVS, a few taco trailers, a cash
and title loan establishment, several Tex-Mex restaurants, the H-E-B
that doesn’t even carry real food anymore, a “kava” bar, and DK Sushi
(which actually happens to be an excellent place for sushi). But how
many times can you have sushi in a month?
Out of frustration, we decided to drive to our friends’ quaint secondstory 700-square-foot flat near the ACC campus on Rio Grande, which
was much closer to us than the Mueller area, accessible without having
to go on the highway, and had plenty of parking options because very
few people actually live in their neighborhood. Judges Hill, established
in 1851, was Austin’s “original city neighborhood.” Judges Hill was the
original Mueller, before it was cool to be green—back when being
green, and walking, was the way of life.

I discovered the work of Kunstler several months ago, and since then
I have been fascinated. Someone had finally put into words what I’d
previously thought were irrational feelings about living in this modern
world. In his second non-fiction book, “Home from Nowhere,” Kunstler
makes the argument “that the living arrangement Americans now think
of as normal is bankrupting us economically, socially, ecologically, and
spiritually.”

From their place, we walked a mile and a half down to Lady Bird Lake.
The stroll was dominated by classic architecture, large trees shading
the wide sidewalks, and many other happy pedestrians. The Old
Judges Hill Historic District website lists the social and psychological
benefits of such a neighborhood: the comfort found in human scale
environments, the desire to live and work in attractive surroundings,
and the emotional stability gained by maintaining recognizable and
walkable neighborhoods.

He continues on to say that it seemed to him that “the country was
full of normal people, including plenty of intelligent ones, who were
distressed by their surroundings but unable to articulate feelings.” So
who is normal then? The ones who question our current car-dependent
American living arrangement or the ones who feel perfectly at ease
with it? Through his work, Kunstler’s intention is to “give shape to those
feelings, to turn inchoate emotion into coherent thought.”

What would it take for all of the United States to rebuild itself in this
manner, the way Judges Hill used to be in the early 1900s, with homes,
apartment buildings, corner grocery stores, public places such as
community gardens and parks, schools, schools, hospitals, carpenters,
tailors, and various retailers all inter-mingling within a pedestrianfriendly neighborhood? It seems the Mueller development is headed
in the right direction.

Reading and listening to Kunstler’s thoughts on sprawling suburbia and
our dysfunctional cities has been a relief—someone understands me,
and there are others like me. I’ve been inspired to put my emergent
frustrations into my own words. This past Earth Day, just a few weeks
ago, I chose not to attend the big festival at the Mueller Hangar. The
thought of driving ten miles each way on I-35 (which lately is crammed
with traffic on weekends) turned me off to the idea of going. Plus, then
I’d have to figure out parking.

Kunstler advises young people to think hard and make good decisions
about where they choose to live. I wish I’d known about him when
I decided to purchase a house (or rather, sign up for a long-term
mortgage) in 2004. Looking back, I am not sure that making a realestate “investment” was so worth it, especially as the economy and
property values continues to plummet.

What I really wanted to do on Earth Day was to walk somewhere—after
all, it was such a beautiful day! In fact, over the last several years, I’ve
increasingly stopped going places that required more than five miles of
driving, unless it was an out of town road trip. (My place of employment
happens to be exactly that distance from my home.)
If I wanted to go for a walk in the park, I’d have to walk fives miles from

By Blake Shanley

The Food Revolution? Yes!
For all intents and purposes, I haven’t eaten red meat
or poultry in nearly a decade, except on the special
occasions I was obliged to nibble off of someone’s
fork at the most incredible restaurant in the Austrian
Alps. And the wee tiny bite of wild boar that a neighbor
caught and shared with my wonderful hosts in a small
village in France (not to sound high falutin’).
My reasons for not eating “meat” (I eat fish currently,
though have foregone the little swimmers in the past as
well) are educated, multi-faceted, informed and heartfelt reasons and I am more than happy to discuss them
with anyone anytime … maybe too happy.
On a side note, I’m guilty of bombarding friends with
flowing commentary on every single ingredient on the
menu/in the cupboard/in the store and their health
effects.
I don’t eat “meat” for several reasons and I don’t miss
these “meats” in the least, but I don’t necessarily think
that every human on the planet should eat the way I
eat, or think the way I think, or should only eat lettuce
and dirt, or should only eat raw foods. I absolutely think
there are modifications to the ideal diet that should
occur for each person. I am intentionally and actively
learning how to help determine that on a personby-person basis, and to understand the concept of
balance and moderation, and eating also for the sheer
enjoyment of eating. More than anything really, I want
people to actively research and search out their own
paths with food and with their own health.
BUT there are simply some things that are inarguably
not good for anyone, and those things in particular
inarguably are good for everyone to learn, to know and
to fully understand, and then ideally to share with those
who don’t yet know.

I could have taken a Capital Metro bus to Mueller—my best option was
a little over one-hour commute and one transfer each way, and lots
of stops in between. But at that point, driving would be much more
convenient and faster. Biking would be suicidal. Walking ten miles
each way was ridiculous. The Metro Rail system is extremely limited
in its route. As Kunstler says, we’ve become hostages to the current
conditions of society. In my ideal world, I’d never drive and do my best
to walk and take public transit—but it’s hard to live up to my ideals,
given the circumstances.
The Mueller area is being developed as a mixed-use urban village,
employing principles of new urbanism, such as diverse housing, a
major employment center, pedestrian friendly streets and viable public
transit. That’s wonderful … for anyone who happens to live there. But
what about the rest of Austin?

Frame of Reference

“The Food Revolution,” by John Robbins (the son of
the famed Robbins of Baskin-Robbins aka 31 Flavors)
does an interesting, stunning, simple, humble job of
compiling decades of extensive research for us and
gently placing it into a well-written, non-preachy,
statistic-rich, profound read that stands as a voice of
reason to anyone willing to listen for just a minute.
Now I am “stuck” here, in a neighborhood where walking is impossible.
Many people scoff at renting—buying a house is what successful
and responsible grown-ups do. But the advantage of renting is that
you’re mobile. If I could, I would love to move to a pedestrian-friendly
neighborhood, even it meant having a smaller house, especially now
that I realize that 1100 square feet, even for two people, is way more
than enough.
In the meantime, for those of us not living in neighborhoods like
Mueller, I guess we’ll have to continue driving everywhere.

Yes, it’s about the mass-production food industry
(it ain’t pretty, I’m sorry to say) but it’s really about
humanity, your health and well-being, the economy,
the environment and every other incredibly relevant
aspect of absolute importance in every single one of
our current and future lives. It’s very, very relevant and
very worth reading.
Take a week and read it. If you think it was a waste of
your time at the end, I will happily buy it back from you.
There. You’ve been challenged!
TODO Austin // May 2012 // TodoAustin.com 15